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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 October Newsletter .,, ,... .,. .�.._- ...- OCTOBER, 1995 . } Y RWUGn CITY HAIL, 5524 UPPER 146TH STREET , MN ' 1� goals and objectives of the Co pre ,,, HUGO IS CHANGING The g J People are moving in. Kids,cars,dogs,and cats,busi- have led to specific policy statements tog - ness,and industry.They are all coming. In order to prepare decision making. v for this change,a revised Comprehensive Plan has been These include: --� drafted for the community by the City's Planning - developing a more diversified tax base through Commission. A public workshop has been scheduled for commercial and industrial development October 24, 1995,from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM,at the Rice - accommodating managed and staged urban growth Lake Park Building. This is an opportunity for residents of - protecting environment resources,open space,and the community to discuss,one-on-one with the Planning agricultural activities Commission,the City's vision for adapting to,and guiding, • allowing for local diversity within an organized change. planning framework. Some of the findings and highlights contained in the The Plan acknowledges: Plan are listed below. - the availability of sewer capacity and access in Hugo's population has grown rapidly in the 1990's,by accordance with the City's approved 1973 Sewer -)st 20 percent,and is expected to double in the next 10 Service Plan LV 15 years. The 1990 census showed that fewer people are • the current growth patterns in Lino Lakes,White engaged in agriculture(4%)than in the past,and more are Bear Township,Forest Lake,and other nearby employed in industry and service-related jobs(58%). communities The local population increasingly resembles the demograph- - the necessary planning and development efforts is profile of Washington County as a whole. Local land use needed to utilize shared facilities and public works reflects these demographic changes. More land is being projects with surrounding communities used for residential purposes and less for farming. - the need to identify specific development and Results of the 1993 public opinion survey indicates redevelopment areas so as to effectively prioritize that lot size and development density are of primary impor- capital expenditures tance to most residents. There is also concern within the - the transportation needs of a growing population community for the protection of agricultural land and the • the availability of land necessary to achieve diversity preservation of open space. The Plan tries to balance these in housing and economic development activities community concerns with the fact that for many farmers • the necessity to reach community-based solutions and large property owners,their land is their primary asset with local input and support and the means for providing for their children's education The draft Guide Plan has a great deal of continuity with and their own retirement. the 1973 Comprehensive Plan. It designates two primary This survey also indicated a desire for a larger com- planning areas,each with subdistricts. The rural area is mercial and industrial tax base in the City. The focus group generally east of Hardwood Creek and Goodview Avenue. studying this issue set a goal that 30 percent of the City's tax Land uses are expected to be predominantly agriculture, base be generated by commercial and industrial property. hobby farms,and large-lot residential in this area. No pub- The Plan,as proposed,tries to fit this commercial and lic sewer or water is planned. In order to accommodate industrial expansion into the type of community residents farmers and rural land owners'development rights,a provi- indicated they desire. sion for"cluster development"at a one home per 10-acre The Planning Commission and focus groups also have density is planned for. ,i to fit Hugo into what development is occurring region- The urban area is anticipated to develop a full range of ally,both the urban development to the south and west,and uses. Most residential subdivisions are expected to develop the large-lot residential development occurring to the north at two to three units per acre in this area. The commercial and east. district is proposed to expand west from TH 61 along continued on page 2 comprehensive plan continued. . . . . . County Road 8. The Plan also calls for a downtown redevelopment Park planning has been identified as a primary concern of the district to give existing local businesses a place to expand,and to community.As new neighborhoods develop,safe,convenient,and create opportunities for new businesses. The Frenchman Road cor- useful recreational facilities will need to be developed. The Plan ridor leading to Interstate 35E would also be used to accommodate also recognizes the strong local demand for equestrian trails in the new commercial and industrial development. area,as well as County park and trail planning efforts. The MUSA(Municipal Utility Service Area)is set to encom- The Guide Plan incorporates the MSA(Municipal State Aiu, pass expected growth for the next ten years,and will extend from street plan recently prepared by the City,which includes the con- 120th Street in the south to approximately 150th Street in the north, struction and improvement of roads to serve the City's expanding and from Elmcrest Avenue to Goodview Avenue. Land north of population. Included in this plan is construction of Everton Avenue 150th Street will be included in an urban reserve district and be sub- from 130th Street to County Road 8,and east/west streets extending ject to the same regulations as the agricultural district. When from TH 61 to Elmcrest Avenue at 134th Street and 140th Street. demand requires an expansion of the City's urban area,this area will Planning efforts have taken into account the logical develop- transition to a more urban pattern. ment barriers caused by the many wetlands and drainage channels in Street tStreet rty LAND USE PIAN „ AGRICULTURAL/UNDEVELOPED 9W RESIDENTIAL RURAL RESIDENTIAL \\ \ ® URBAN PRESERVE COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL AM \ \ \ PUBLIC/QUASWUBLIC A v v\` _ WATER \i Z F wLLJ S 3! / 157TH STREET NORTH 14 13 COUNTY ROAD 57 „M OW17 ,IM J LJ /10 JLd 147TH SIM h TM N w — +STM ,urX 1mX It RICE LA E PARKNR low mom _ _ uTM n.t � w 125TH STREETINDRTH yy r I A M r c g /< /\ S t�TH AYE (}diXIERTH NN comprehensive plan continued. . . . . . the community,while also taking advantage of existing approximately the next ten years and will have an impact infrastructure. on almost all areas of the community. All residents of the community are encouraged to Following the workshop,a public hearing on the attend the workshop scheduled for October 24th at the Rice Comprehensive Plan is scheduled for November 2, 1995, :e Park building,which is located on C.R. 8A,east of 7:00 PM,at the Hugo Elementary School to consider its —oodview Avenue. Once adopted,the revised formal adoption. Comprehensive Plan will guide City decision making for AQUASWING:ATTRACTM AND FUNCTIONAL SHORELINE MANAGEMENT When most frequently lead to the unintentional introduction of grass V -A 4� Minnesotans envi- clippings,by cutting and piling near the water's edge,and 11i J II sion their ideal lawn chemicals that contribute to water pollution and exces- �� lakeshore property, sive algae. Rapid surface runoff that is concentrated in they see a rich channels and gullies will also c 'Pollutants into the body \ green lawn stretch- of water. The ideal aquascape will distribute and slow the I _ + ing down to a strip flow of water,permitting removal of pollutants by settling of sandy beach and filtration,as well as the uptake of excess nutrients by extending into the the shoreline plants. Shoreline erosion resulting from cur- open water. rents and wave action will also be greatly reduced by a strip However,such of vegetation. beaches seldom The first step in beginning an aquascaping project is to occur naturally,and consider specifics of the site,such as the view to be main- the creation of this type of shoreline is usually detrimental tained,recreational needs,and the slope of the bank. A pro- to water quality and the wildlife inhabitants of the lake. ject can be undertaken in stages and started simply by leav- Aquascaping(landscaping along bodies of water,including ing a 15-to 20-foot wide strip of unmowed grass along the lakes,streams,and wetlands)utilizes native plant species to shoreline. This can gradually be replaced with native grass- create a more natural shoreline. A well-designed aquascape es,trees,and shrubs. Native aquatic plants will also fre- '�ances the appearance of the shoreline and provides habi- quently return to a shoreline if they are not removed,and or aquatic wildlife. In addition,it protects water quality they can be supplemented with decorative aquatic species. by filtering out pollutants and sediment entering the lake, Flowering species can be included to add color,and an and it substantially reduces the requirement for shoreline especially attractive addition is a garden of flowering aquat- maintenance. is plants,such as cardinal flower,spotted jewelweed,and The appearance and accessibility of a body of water waterlilies. are important considerations for property owners,and an Native species of plants are recommended for shore- aquascape design should consider these requirements. line landscaping. They will root better,grow better,are bet- The design should avoid blocking the view of the water, ter adapted to the climate,and require less long-term main- and frame the view by having taller trees placed off to tenance than non-native species. In addition,some non- either side with shorter plants and bushes toward the center. native plants may spread quickly and out-compete other A small section of the shoreline can also be maintained as plants,creating a nuisance. It is also illegal to plant some an open beach for recreational purposes. non-native species,such as purple loosestrife and Eurasian The proper selection of shoreline plants will provide milfoil. significant wildlife habitat. People who live on bodies of Because many of the plants recommended for aquas- water are frequently nature lovers,but they inadvertently caping are not available at local nurseries,the successful destroy valuable wildlife habitat when they create open aquascaper must be more creative in the collection of beaches. These narrow strips,where water meets land,are plants. Many species can be collected from local wetlands particularly rich in wildlife,but are becoming increasingly or lakes,with the permission of the property owner. Some rare as waterfront property is developed for home sites. nurseries exist that specialize in native and aquatic species, Native plant species will provide food and shelter for vari- but many plants may have to be ordered by mail. ous types of wildlife,including birds,butterflies,waterfowl, A good source booklet for getting started with aquas- fish,reptiles,and amphibians. Plants can also be used to caping is available from the Hennepin Conservation discourage unwanted species such as geese. If possible, District. It is entitled,"Aquascaping,a Guide to Shoreline one should attempt to maintain natural vegetation along Landscaping",by Carolyn J. Dindorf. The booklet provides' ut 75 percent of the shoreline frontage and to establish a basic information on techniques for planting and erosion _ae of undisturbed vegetation that extends 50 feet onto the control. It also lists sources of suitable plants,landscape land and 50 feet into the open water. designers that specialize in aquascaping,and additional This strip of natural vegetation acts as a buffer that publications that may be helpful. To obtain a copy,call the purifies water entering the lake. Although grassy lawns are Hennepin Conservation District at 544-8572. not detrimental to water quality,lawn maintenance practices ATTENTION SNOWMOBILERS Where can 1 ride my snowmobile? — Chances are that if you are one of the many On private property with the specific written,dated and people who enjoy snowmobiling you have signed permission of the property owner or person in control already prepared your machine for the season's of the property. Such permission must be carried with the first snowfall.Hopefully you have also operator of the snowmobile at all times the vehicle is being s II reviewed state law and local regulations operated on the property,unless the operator is the owner or a \ regarding their safe and lawful operation. In family member of the owner. On public lands and waters under jurisdiction of the � early 1995 the City of Hugo revised its snow- P mobile ordinance to clarify when,where and Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as permitted b law. how snowmobiles may be operated in the City. p Y Listed below are answers to some of the most On city streets when traveling in the most right-hand lane commonly asked questions regarding snowmobiling in Hugo. available for automobile traffic,or as close as practicable to Copies of the full ordinance are available at City Hall. the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway,and when traveling in the same direction as automobile traffic in that When can 1 ride my snowmobile? lane. Use of snowmobiles on city streets is only authorized Snowmobiles may be operated between the hours of 6:30 a.m. when it will not result in damage to the street. and 11:00 p.m.,except that the hours are extended on weekends • On the ditch bottom or outside slope of any drainage ditch. until 1:00 A.M. Saturday and Sunday mornings. which lies within,and runs parallel to,any city controlled public road easement. Snowmobiles may not be operated on any boulevard area where an identifiable ditch is not present. How fast May 1 drive my snowmobile? . On the ditch bottom,or outside slope of County Highway 8A Speed limits for snowmobiles are as set by state law,except that EAST of Goodview Avenue, State Highway 61,County no snowmobile may be operated in Hugo at a speed in excess of Highways 4,4A,7 and 57. 15 miles per hour within 100 feet of any residential dwelling. . On posted trails approved for such use by the Hugo City Council. 6H GO BULK RATE 1V POSTAGE CITY HALL NEWSLETTER 5524 Upper 146th Street North Hugo,MN 55038 HUGO MN 55038 PERMIT NO. 21